985 replies to this topic

[samsnee]

So this show has been under the radar, but got a sneak preview after It's Always Sunny. You can read about it here.

It definitely feels like the best show that Adult Swim never aired.

[alynch]

I liked what I saw. I'll definitely be tuning in when it begins its proper run.

[The Plot Device]

It definitely feels like Frisky Dingo in a spy agency with an actual voice actor cast.

It had the same jokes and writing style that I love, so I'm definitely on-board.

"It smells like a whorehouse in here" "Okay, your own fingers"

"If you want breakfast, why don't you try the diner? You're obviously into Greek!"

"Holy shit, our security is atrocious"

"That is Babytown Frolics."

"These are all black, sir." "Are they? Or are 5 in a dark black and the other 5 in a slightly darker black?"

"It's like my head is the tree and you are those little cookie trolls."

"Are you going to pay for dinner?" "Just the tip!"

[ProjectRenegade]

Just saw the preview, and wow. Definitely my favourite new show of the season -- not that there was one to begin with.

It has all the good stuff Frisky Dingo had once it got going (that is to say, the writing is gold); I'm surprised it was the first episode! Also, casting Lucille Bluth has to be enough to get AD fans on this.

This better get renewed and picked up in the UK. I want everyone I know to be quoting this show.

Edited by ProjectRenegade, Nov 27, 2009 @ 9:16 PM.

[Matt K]

I saw the pilot and wow it was amazing. "Just the tip" was my favorite line so far. I can't wait for more episodes. I can't be too upset at the loss of Frisky Dingo if we get this.

[Perfect Xero]

I know H. Jon Benjamin is a good voice actor, but I just couldn't get used to his voice coming out of "Xander".

[JessicaLovejoy]

Con: Archer is the less attractive, more annoying Xander. Xander was an asshole, but he wasn't annoying. Two different things.

Pro: Entertaining enough, shows the promise of getting better, JESSICA WALTER pretty much doing an animated LUCILLE BLUTH.

Ah, who am I kidding? The last pro is enough for me to sign up.

Edited by JessicaLovejoy, Feb 2, 2010 @ 2:16 PM.

[MrBananaGrabber]

Thanks for the heads up, I didn't even know this existed! Since Adam Reed is writing, we just need to get Matt Thompson and the old 70/30 crew would be back together!

I know H. Jon Benjamin is a good voice actor, but I just couldn't get used to his voice coming out of "Xander".

I really don't like H. Jon Benjamin myself, to me it feels like he just does the Coach McGuirk voice, over and over no matter what the role, and here it is again. Really wish it was Adam doing the voice.

The show will also need a Killface to Archer's Xander or it's going to wear thin.

Edited by MrBananaGrabber, Nov 30, 2009 @ 10:57 PM.

[ProjectRenegade]

I think Matt Thompson is involved as well. Archer is supposedly the reason Frisky Dingo and The Xtacles were dropped.

I suppose a show on FX is a better mouthpiece than a show on a programming block that hates you.

Edited by ProjectRenegade, Dec 2, 2009 @ 1:18 PM.

[Earl Camembert]

I really don't like H. Jon Benjamin myself, to me it feels like he just does the Coach McGuirk voice, over and over no matter what the role, and here it is again.

I understand you completely - he's so identified with Coach McGuirk in my mind, his voice just completely takes me out of anything he's in now. Isn't there a term for when an actor gets so tied to a role, it handicaps his career (e.g. Adam West and Batman)?

That said, I am giddy with anticipation for the formal premiere.

Edited by Earl Camembert, Dec 2, 2009 @ 9:41 AM.

[MrBananaGrabber]

I understand you completely - he's so identified with Coach McGuirk in my mind, his voice just completely takes me out of anything he's in now. Isn't there a term for when an actor gets so tied to a role, it handicaps his career (e.g. Adam West and Batman)?

Typecasting? The odd thing is, that's not his normal voice (I think), he's doing the McGuirk voice on purpose. I wonder if that's all anyone ever asks for?

I suppose a show on FX is a better mouthpiece than a show on a programming block that hates you.

Yup. My understanding was Williams street forced a really unreasonable production schedule on Xstacles which lead to the breakup of 70/30. That said, I'd love a third season of Frisky Dingo some day, but Archer will do fine in the meantime.

[ganesh]

I just watched it, and I'll be watching again. For me, this had the 'Frisky Dingo' style I liked. But, Archer is going to need a nemesis sometime. Every episode can't be him sneaking around the office.

Also, casting Lucille Bluth has to be enough to get AD fans on this.

I absolutely die the way JW says 'whore'. I was crossing my fingers the entire time and they bust out the 'whore island' line! I agree she's playing a less boozy Lucille, and I like it.

[Sandman87]

I finally saw the promo for this show. So H. Jon Benjamin plays the main character? I'll pass. I'd be happy never to hear his voice again.

[samsnee]

When they're dead, they're just called hookers.

This is like O. Henry and Alanis had a baby, and named it this exact situation!

[InvaderNorbert]

Oh my God, this show is great. All we need is a Killface expy and we got a new Frisky Dingo!

"Who would wear an on-fire suit?!"
"Cosplay enthusiasts!"

[MrBananaGrabber]

Don't love it, but it took me a while to love Frisky as well.

"Karate? The Dane Cook of Martial Arts?"

[jcin617]

I was hoping this would fill the gap left by Frisky, and I think it did. I laughed quite a bit.

I especially loved the callback jokes like Frisky used to do. Such as "guest" being the generic ISIS computer password.

"Holy #%$@ our security is atrocious!"

[orangeslice]

I liked the show, at least it reminds me of Frisky Dingo

Maybe that's why Reed didn't voice Archer, he didn't want two Xander's running around on TV.

I agree that Archer needs a nemisis, I miss Killface

[Earl Camembert]

"My rug!"

I only had a chance to watch the first episode last night, but so far, it's very promising. I'd argue it's gotten off to a faster start than "Frisky Dingo," whose first episode kind of meandered (with all the talk about how to market Killface's manifesto of doom to the masses).

Now, let's see if they can approach the hyperspaced lunacy that "Dingo" eventually provided. That's a pretty tall hurdle.

[Rollins316]

IMHO the show reminds me WAY WAY WAY more of Sealab 2021 (especially the criminally underrated post-Murphy episodes) than it does of Frisky Dingo, even with Archer's entire character design basically being a slightly older version of Xander Crewes.

I agree that Archer needs a nemisis, I miss Killface

I think Archer's ex-girlfriend/fellow agent is the show's Killface. Her disdain for Archer reminds me of Killface's hatred for Xander after Xander revealed himself to be Barnaby Jones.

[MrBananaGrabber]

Saw both episodes again. It's more uneven then either Sealab or Frisky, but neither one was a half hour.

I do hope Adam and Matt get behined the mic again. Kate Miller too.

[Lantern7]

Not bad so far. The transition to 30 minutes and hardcore cussing from Adult Swim is a little jarring. On the other hand? H. Jon Benjamin, Lucille Bluth, and a dead hooker. Also, the most atrocious security a secret agency can have. Not a bad start at all.

[A Conspiracy]

It's like I'm a tree you're those little cookie elves!

[Split Ends]

I've never seen Frisky Dingo or anything like that, so Archer was a complete blank slate to me.

I liked it. It's mostly funny and weird. The Saturday Night Live guy is pretty good. I find Archer.....annoying, I guess, and not funny enough. It feels uneven but I guess that's fair so early in the game.

[Rollins316]

I've never seen Frisky Dingo or anything like that, so Archer was a complete blank slate to me.

I liked it. It's mostly funny and weird. The Saturday Night Live guy is pretty good. I find Archer.....annoying, I guess, and not funny enough. It feels uneven but I guess that's fair so early in the game.

There lies the flaw in comparing the show to Frisky Dingo. On FD, Xander Crewes was the villain (despite being the "good guy") and was one huge, unlikable asshole. Killface, in spite of being murderer with dreams of genocide, was the good guy/protagonist.

The show Archer is more or less clear cut with good and evil; Archer is the good guy, granted an asshole but still the good guy as far as audience sympathy goes. Unlike Xander, who was a complete sociopath, Archer seems to be a more middle of the road type asshole hero who we are supposed to root for, whereas Xander existed mainly as a foil for Killface as part of the deconstruction of the whole "good versus evil" angle that was at the heart of Frisky Dingo.

[ganesh]

I agree that Archer needs a nemisis, I miss Killface

I said that before too. I want to see Archer have to team up with the ex-girlfriend and have them argue constantly. I don't want to see them together: her punishment to Ceceil (sp)? To get the most barebackenest interracialest porn ever. Hilarious.

I like all the characters, and they've done a good job filling out the workplace, but I'd like to see Archer in the field in weird places, on missions that get really more fucked up as it goes on. Archer on a mission with his mother would be gold. Right now, I don't think I need to see the office people doing random shit every week.

So far though, it's been two pretty cool episodes, and I'll be back for more.

[jhlipton]

One big turn-off for me: Lana is obviously supposed to be black (from several references, and the actress voicing her) but she's just a shade darker than anyone else. But a black GUY is OK. I've seen too much of that attitude ("black women are OK, as long as they're not TOO black").

Do Not Want.

[Gates]

"You want breakfast? Try the diner. You're obviously into Greek. Get it?"

"BARK"

"Thank you, Abelard."

For some reason, that killed me.

Also, I don't understand the H. Jon Benjamin hate. He might be my favorite voice actor ever. I love his timbre, timing, and inflections. Anyone else voicing the role would feel wrong. IMO, of course.

Was the callback line as he was leaving his mother's office "Johnny Bench called", as in referencing her face to a catcher's mitt? I'm confused.

[Earl Camembert]

"You want breakfast? Try the diner. You're obviously into Greek. Get it?"

"Just the tip!"
"Just the tip!"
"C'mon, just the tip!"

[fuxshakes]

this made me really miss Frisky Dingo
:(
I'll keep watching it....